post divorce enforcement lawyer Anne Arundel County, MD

You thought the divorce was over. The final decree is signed, but your former spouse is not complying. Perhaps the alimony checks have stopped, the agreed‑upon property transfer remains undone, or the parenting plan you both agreed to is being ignored. You need to enforce the court order—and you need help doing it in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., we assist clients with post‑divorce enforcement matters before the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Family Division). Call (888) 437‑7747 to discuss your situation and the options available to you.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Last reviewed: July 2026

What Post‑Divorce Enforcement Involves in Anne Arundel County

When a divorce decree is entered by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, its terms become a binding court order. If one party fails to comply—by not paying support, refusing to transfer titled property, or interfering with custody—the other party may ask the court to enforce the order through a contempt proceeding or a motion to compel. Post‑divorce enforcement is a civil matter designed to bring the non‑complying party into compliance, not to punish criminally. The remedy may include a monetary judgment for arrears, an order compelling the transfer of property, makeup parenting time, or, in egregious cases of willful contempt, fines or even incarceration until compliance.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear regularly in the Family Division of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. We evaluate the existing order, determine the most direct enforcement mechanism, and draft the necessary filings—often a petition for contempt or a motion to enforce. Every step is taken with the goal of obtaining compliance as efficiently as the court’s schedule and the facts permit, while protecting your rights.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Approach Enforcement Cases

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997 on the principle that every client deserves practical, determined representation. In post‑divorce enforcement matters, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work closely with you to gather evidence of non‑compliance—payment histories, correspondence, custody‑exchange records—and present a clear, factual record to the court. We understand that the Anne Arundel County Family Division judges expect parties to have made genuine attempts to resolve disputes before seeking court intervention, and we help you demonstrate those good‑faith efforts.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to enforcement litigation. Results may vary. Our approach is to focus on the specific relief that matters most to you—whether that is securing overdue support, regaining lost parenting time, or obtaining a judicial declaration that the other party is in contempt—and to pursue it relentlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my ex‑spouse is not following the divorce decree in Anne Arundel County?

Document every instance of non‑compliance, then consult with a family law attorney immediately. The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County expects you to show a pattern of violations before granting relief. Keep records of missed payments, denied visitation, or unfulfilled property obligations. Do not take self‑help measures; instead, allow your lawyer to file a petition for contempt or a motion to enforce. The court can order compliance and, if the violation is willful, impose sanctions. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

How do I enforce an alimony order in Maryland?

File a petition for contempt in the Circuit Court that issued the original order. In Anne Arundel County, that is typically the Family Division. The court will review payment records and can enter a money judgment for arrears, order wage withholding, or, if the payor has the ability to pay and refuses, find the party in contempt. The legal framework is found in Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 8‑101 et seq. And the Maryland Rules. A hearing will be scheduled, and you should be prepared to present evidence of the missed payments.

What is the process for enforcing a child support order in Anne Arundel County?

You may enforce a child support order through the Office of Child Support Enforcement or by filing a contempt action privately. If you choose a private enforcement action, your attorney will file a motion with the Circuit Court. The court can order income withholding, intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, or hold the non‑paying parent in contempt. The court at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401 has the authority to issue remedial sanctions to compel payment. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437‑7747.

Can a parent be held in contempt for violating a custody order in Maryland?

Yes, the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County can hold a parent in contempt for disregarding a custody or visitation order. Maryland Rule 15‑202 governs constructive civil contempt. You must show that the other parent had knowledge of the order and willfully failed to comply. The court can impose makeup visitation, modify the parenting schedule, award attorney’s fees, or, if the violation is particularly egregious, order limited incarceration. The standard is willfulness, not mere inconvenience.

How long does a post‑divorce enforcement action take in Anne Arundel County?

The timeline depends on court availability and the complexity of the issues. Unopposed motions may be resolved in a few weeks; contested contempt hearings can take several months. The Family Division’s caseload and the nature of the allegations—such as financial versus custody‑related enforcement—influence scheduling. Your attorney can give you a better estimate after filing. To discuss your timeline, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

What is the difference between civil contempt and criminal contempt in family law cases?

Civil contempt is designed to compel compliance with a court order; criminal contempt is intended to punish for disrespect of the court. Post‑divorce enforcement is almost always civil. If the court finds a party in civil contempt, it may impose fines or jail time that end when the party complies (for example, paying the arrears). Criminal contempt is far rarer and requires a higher standard of proof. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys concentrate on civil remedies that achieve compliance.

Can I enforce a divorce decree from another state in Anne Arundel County?

Yes, a foreign divorce decree can be domesticated and enforced in Maryland. Under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11‑801 et seq., you register the foreign decree with the Circuit Court. Once domesticated, it is treated as a Maryland judgment, and the court can enforce its terms through the same contempt powers available for in‑state decrees. This is especially relevant for military families who divorce in another jurisdiction but later live in Anne Arundel County.

Do I need a lawyer for post‑divorce enforcement in Anne Arundel County?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but the procedural rules and the need to prove willful non‑compliance make self‑representation difficult. The Circuit Court expects parties to follow the Maryland Rules of Procedure, which include proper service, evidentiary requirements, and specific pleading standards. An experienced attorney can build a persuasive record, address the court appropriately, and negotiate a settlement that brings compliance without a full hearing. For a consultation, call (888) 437‑7747.

What happens if my ex‑spouse lives out of state but owes me support from an Anne Arundel County order?

The court retains jurisdiction over the support order, and Maryland can work with the other state under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. UIFSA, codified at Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 10‑301 et seq., permits direct income withholding across state lines and allows the Maryland court to register and enforce the order in the obligor’s state. The process involves legal coordination, but it is well‑established. Reach our firm at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss the specific interstate enforcement mechanism available to you.

Can I recover attorney’s fees in an enforcement action in Maryland?

Maryland law allows the court to award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in family law enforcement proceedings. Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 12‑103 empowers the court to order the non‑complying party to pay your legal fees and costs if the violation was unjustified. The decision is discretionary, but a clear showing of willfulness strengthens the request. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys routinely seek fees as part of the enforcement remedy.

What documents should I bring to a consultation about post‑divorce enforcement?

Bring your divorce decree, any subsequent modification orders, proof of non‑compliance (financial records, emails, text messages, custody logs), and a written timeline of the violations. Organized evidence allows your attorney to quickly assess the strength of your case. If you are unsure what is important, bring everything you have; your lawyer will sort through it. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

How is property division enforced after a Maryland divorce?

If a divorce decree orders the transfer of specific property—such as a house, a vehicle, or a retirement account—and the ex‑spouse refuses, you can ask the court to enforce the order through contempt or a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). For retirement accounts, a QDRO is often the necessary mechanism, and the court retains jurisdiction to enter one if the original decree did not. For real property, the court may appoint a trustee to execute the transfer. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635, which revised aspects of equitable distribution procedure, and the firm applies that same careful attention to Maryland enforcement matters.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced family law and civil litigation since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are independent, non‑employee lawyers who work under the firm’s banner, each bringing their own extensive litigation experience. In Anne Arundel County, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys regularly appear before the Circuit Court Family Division. This collective depth allows us to staff each enforcement matter with the right advocate for the specific issues at hand.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have documented family law case results across multiple Maryland counties. Results may vary.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.